Fuse unit and conductive module
The fuse unit design encloses electrical connection portions and components within an insulating housing, addressing vulnerability issues in conventional units by providing robust protection against external factors.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YAZAKI CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
Smart Images
Figure JP2025039567_04062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Fuse Unit and Conductive Module
[0001] The present invention relates to a fuse unit and a conductive module.
[0002] In a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged, the conductive module electrically connects the plurality of battery cells using a plurality of connection conductors. Then, the conductive module electrically connects each connection conductor to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cell using wiring components such as electric wires. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses this type of conductive module. In such a conductive module, a combination of a pair of connection conductors and a conductor portion of a wiring component is provided for each connection conductor, and a circuit protection component such as a fuse may be interposed between the connection conductor and the conductor portion of the wiring component in each combination. For example, Patent Document 2 below discloses a fuse unit (composed of a chip fuse, a pair of terminal fittings, and a resin portion) applied to this conductive module.
[0003] Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020 - 119651, Patent No. 7561318
[0004] By the way, the conventional fuse unit surrounds the connection portion between the circuit protection component and the circuit protection component in a pair of terminal fittings with a frame-shaped resin portion, while exposing the connection portion between the terminal fitting and the electric wire outside the frame. In this fuse unit, not only the circuit protection component and its surroundings but also the connection portion between the terminal fitting and the electric wire are conductors, and it can be said that they are protection targets from external factors.
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuse unit and a conductive module that can protect the conductor portion from external factors.
[0006] The fuse unit according to the present invention comprises: a circuit protection component that melts a fusible portion when an overcurrent flows between a first electrical connection target and a second electrical connection target; a first terminal fitting that directly electrically connects a first electrical connection portion to a first electrode of the circuit protection component and directly or indirectly electrically connects a conductor connection portion to the first electrical connection target; and a second terminal fitting that directly electrically connects a second electrical connection portion to a second electrode of the circuit protection component and directly or indirectly electrically connects to the second electrical connection target. The present invention is characterized by comprising: a wiring component interposed between the second terminal fitting and the second object to be electrically connected, with one end of the conductor portion directly electrically connected to the wiring connection portion of the second terminal fitting, and the other end of the conductor portion directly or indirectly electrically connected to the second object to be electrically connected; and the first electrical connection portion, the second electrical connection portion, the circuit protection component installed spanning the first and second electrical connection portions, and an electrically insulating housing component in which the wiring connection portion and one end of the conductor portion are housed.
[0007] The conductive module according to the present invention comprises a connecting conductor that is directly electrically connected to the electrode terminals of a battery cell constituting the battery module, and a fuse unit that indirectly electrically connects the connecting conductor to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cell, wherein the fuse unit includes a circuit protection component that melts a fusible portion when an overcurrent flows between the connecting conductor and the battery monitoring unit, a first terminal fitting that directly electrically connects a first electrical connection portion to a first electrode of the circuit protection component and directly or indirectly electrically connects a conductor connection portion to the connecting conductor, and a second electrical connection to a second electrode of the circuit protection component The device is characterized by comprising: a second terminal fitting that directly electrically connects the part and directly or indirectly electrically connects to the battery monitoring unit; a wiring component interposed between the second terminal fitting and the battery monitoring unit, with one end of the conductor directly electrically connected to the wiring connection part of the second terminal fitting and the other end of the conductor directly or indirectly electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit; and an electrically insulating housing component in which the first electrical connection part, the second electrical connection part, the circuit protection component installed spanning the first electrical connection part and the second electrical connection part, the wiring connection part, and one end of the conductor part are housed in a housing chamber.
[0008] In the fuse unit according to the present invention, the first electrical connection portion of the first terminal fitting, the second electrical connection portion of the second terminal fitting, the circuit protection component, the wiring connection portion of the second terminal fitting, and one end of the conductor portion of the wiring component are housed in a housing chamber for the housing components. In other words, in this fuse unit, the first electrical connection portion, the second terminal fitting, the circuit protection component, and the end of the wiring component are surrounded by the respective parts of the housing component within the housing chamber. Therefore, the fuse unit according to the present invention can protect these from external factors such as other surrounding components. The conductive module according to the present invention comprises this fuse unit and can achieve the same effects as those obtained with this fuse unit.
[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the fuse unit and conductive module of the embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the battery module together with the busbar. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the fuse unit of the embodiment. Figure 4 is a plan view of the fuse unit of the embodiment as seen from the insertion opening. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the fuse unit of the embodiment. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the fuse unit of the embodiment as seen from a different angle. Figure 7 is a plan view of the housing member of the embodiment as seen from the insertion opening. Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating the covering resin part. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a deformed form of the housing component. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a deformed form of the housing component. Figure 11 is a plan view illustrating a deformed form of the housing component. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a deformed form of the housing component. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the deformed form of the housing component as seen from a different angle. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing a deformed form of the housing component. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the deformed form of the housing component as seen from a different angle. Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a deformed form of the housing component.
[0010] Embodiments of the fuse unit and conductive module according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
[0011] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the fuse unit and conductive module according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 16.
[0012] Reference numeral 1 in Figure 1 indicates a conductive module of this embodiment. This conductive module 1 is assembled into a battery module BM (Figure 2) in which a plurality of battery cells BC are arranged, and electrically connects the plurality of battery cells BC in the battery module BM. Furthermore, this conductive module 1 electrically connects the battery module BM to a battery monitoring unit (not shown), causing the battery monitoring unit to monitor the battery state of the battery cells BC. This conductive module 1, together with the battery module BM, constitutes a battery pack. A battery pack is, for example, mounted on a vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle, HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle, etc.) that is equipped with a rotating machine as a power source, and is used to supply power to that rotating machine, etc.
[0013] A battery cell BC comprises a cell body BCa and positive and negative electrode terminals BCb (Figure 2). In a battery module BM, multiple of these battery cells BC are arranged in a single row along the arrangement direction. The battery module BM comprises one electrode terminal group BCc, where one electrode terminal BCb of the multiple battery cells BC is arranged along the arrangement direction, and the other electrode terminal group BCc, where the other electrode terminal BCb of the multiple battery cells BC is arranged along the arrangement direction (Figure 2).
[0014] The battery cell BC shown here is formed in a rectangular shape with a cell body BCa having six outer wall surfaces. In multiple battery cells BC, adjacent cell bodies BCa are arranged with one outer wall surface facing the other in the arrangement direction. For example, in a battery cell BC, the positive and negative electrode terminals BCb are arranged on one of the six outer wall surfaces of the cell body BCa, or on two of the six outer wall surfaces of the cell body BCa. In this example, each battery cell BC has the positive and negative electrode terminals BCb on one of the six outer wall surfaces of the cell body BCa (Figure 2). Therefore, in the battery module BM, two groups of electrode terminals BCc are provided on a single plane (Figure 2).
[0015] The electrode terminal BCb shown here is formed into a flat plate shape, and the connecting conductor 10, described later, is directly electrically connected to it by laser welding or the like (Figure 2). However, the electrode terminal BCb may be formed into a pole column shape with a male screw portion. In this case, the connecting conductor 10 is screwed into the male screw portion of the electrode terminal BCb by screwing a female screw member into it.
[0016] The conductive module 1 includes a connecting conductor 10 that is directly electrically connected to the electrode terminal BCb of the battery cell BC that constitutes the battery module BM (Figures 1 and 2).
[0017] The connecting conductor 10 is formed from a conductive material such as metal. This connecting conductor 10 is a metal plate-shaped conductive component called a busbar, and is, for example, press-formed using a metal plate as the base material. The connecting conductor 10 shown here is formed into a rectangular flat plate shape.
[0018] The conductive module 1 includes, as connecting conductors 10, for example, one that is directly electrically connected to adjacent electrode terminals BCb of a pair of battery cells BC in the battery module BM, one that is directly electrically connected to the electrode terminal BCb that forms the total negative electrode in the battery module BM, and one that is directly electrically connected to the electrode terminal BCb that forms the total positive electrode in the battery module BM.
[0019] The conductive module 1 includes a fuse unit 20 that indirectly electrically connects the connecting conductor 10 to the battery monitoring unit (Figures 1 and 3 to 6). This fuse unit 20 indirectly electrically connects the connecting conductor 10, which is the first object to be electrically connected, and the battery monitoring unit, which is the second object to be electrically connected, and cuts off the current when an overcurrent flows between them. This fuse unit 20 is provided for each connecting conductor 10.
[0020] The fuse unit 20 includes a circuit protection component 30 that melts a fusible portion when an overcurrent flows between the connecting conductor 10 and the battery monitoring unit (Figures 3 to 6). This circuit protection component 30 includes a first electrode 31 and a second electrode 32 positioned with their fusible portions in between (Figures 3 to 6). The first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are positioned in a straight line at one end and the other end of the circuit protection component 30.
[0021] The circuit protection component 30 may be configured as, for example, a chip fuse having a fusible portion, or as a pattern fuse in which a wiring pattern having a fusible portion is provided on a printed circuit board (for example, a flexible printed circuit board). The circuit protection component 30 shown here is configured as a rectangular chip fuse. The first electrode 31 is provided at one end of the circuit protection component 30, extending across five outer wall surfaces. The second electrode 32 is provided at the other end of the circuit protection component 30, extending across five outer wall surfaces.
[0022] The fuse unit 20 includes a first terminal fitting 40 and a second terminal fitting 50 that are directly electrically connected to the circuit protection component 30 (Figures 3 to 6). The first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are formed from a conductive material such as metal. For example, the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are press-formed using a metal plate as the base material.
[0023] The first terminal fitting 40 has a first electrical connection portion 41 that directly electrically connects to the first electrode 31 of the circuit protection component 30 (Figures 3 to 6). One of the four outer wall surfaces of the first electrode 31, which are arranged in the circumferential direction, rests on this first electrical connection portion 41, and the first electrode 31 is directly electrically connected by laser welding, soldering, or the like. Therefore, the first electrical connection portion 41 is formed in a flat plate shape with a plane on which the outer wall surface of the first electrode 31 rests. The first electrical connection portion 41 shown here is formed in a convex flat plate shape, and the outer wall surface of the first electrode 31 rests on this convex narrow portion. In this first electrical connection portion 41, the narrow portion becomes a contact portion 41a with the first electrode 31, and this contact portion 41a and the first electrode 31 are directly electrically connected (Figures 3 to 6).
[0024] Furthermore, the first terminal fitting 40 has a conductor connection portion 42 that is electrically connected to the connecting conductor 10 directly or indirectly (Figures 3 to 6). This conductor connection portion 42 is formed in a flat plate shape and is placed on the connecting conductor 10 with its planes overlapping. This conductor connection portion 42 is then electrically connected to the connecting conductor 10 directly by laser welding, ultrasonic bonding, or the like. The conductor connection portion 42 shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape.
[0025] The first terminal fitting 40 shown here is formed into a single flat plate shape with the first electrical connection portion 41 and the conductor connection portion 42 adjacent to each other.
[0026] The second terminal fitting 50 has a second electrical connection portion 51 that directly electrically connects to the second electrode 32 of the circuit protection component 30 (Figures 3 to 6). One of the four outer wall surfaces of the second electrode 32, which are arranged in the circumferential direction, rests on this second electrical connection portion 51, and the second electrode 32 is directly electrically connected by laser welding, soldering, or the like. Therefore, the second electrical connection portion 51 is formed in a flat plate shape with a surface on which the outer wall surface of the second electrode 32 rests. The second electrical connection portion 51 shown here is formed in a convex flat plate shape, and the outer wall surface of the second electrode 32 rests on this convex narrow portion. In this second electrical connection portion 51, the narrow portion becomes a contact portion 51a with the second electrode 32, and this contact portion 51a and the second electrode 32 are directly electrically connected (Figures 3 to 6).
[0027] Furthermore, the second terminal fitting 50 is indirectly electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit. The fuse unit 20 includes a wiring component 60 interposed between the second terminal fitting 50 and the battery monitoring unit (Figures 3 to 6), and the second terminal fitting 50 is indirectly electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit via this wiring component 60. The second terminal fitting 50 has a wiring connection portion 52 that is directly electrically connected to this wiring component 60 (Figures 3 to 6).
[0028] The wiring component 60 has a conductor portion 61 that is directly electrically connected at one end to the wiring connection portion 52 of the second terminal fitting 50, and at the other end to the battery monitoring unit, either directly or indirectly (Figures 3 and 5). The wiring component 60 also has an electrically insulating coating 62 that covers at least one end of the conductor portion 61 on the side facing the battery monitoring unit (Figures 3 to 6). The wiring component 60 shown here is a linear conductor having a linearly formed conductor portion 61. Specifically, the wiring component 60 is an electric wire in which the core wire as the conductor portion 61 is covered with an electrically insulating coating 62, and the wiring connection portion 52 is directly electrically connected to one end of the conductor portion 61 at its terminal.
[0029] For example, in the case of the wiring component 60, the insulating coating 62 is stripped off at its end to expose one end of the conductor portion 61. In this case, the wiring connection portion 52 can be a crimping portion formed to crimp one end of the conductor portion 61 (i.e., the core wire at the end of the electric wire). Alternatively, for example, the wiring component 60 may be one in which the insulating coating 62 covers one end of the conductor portion 61 at its end. In this case, the wiring connection portion 52 can be a pair of crimping blades formed by making an incision in the insulating coating 62 at the end of the wiring component 60 to clamp one end of the conductor portion 61 (the core wire at the end of the electric wire). The wiring connection portion 52 shown here is formed as a crimping portion.
[0030] The second terminal fitting 50 shown here has a second electrical connection part 51 and a wiring connection part 52 adjacent to each other. The wiring connection part 52 allows the wiring component 60 to be pulled out in the direction adjacent to it and along the direction of the second electrical connection part 51.
[0031] The wiring component 60 may be a flat wiring material such as a flexible printed circuit board in which the conductor portion 61 is formed as a wiring pattern (not shown). In this case, the wiring component 60 has a conductor portion 61 formed for each second terminal fitting 50 in the multiple fuse units 20, and one end of the conductor portion 61 is provided at the end of the branch portion branched off from the main body for each second terminal fitting 50. One end of the conductor portion 61 is electrically connected directly to the wiring connection portion 52, for example, by laser welding or soldering.
[0032] In this fuse unit 20, the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second electrical connection portion 51 of the second terminal fitting 50 are arranged on the same plane with a predetermined distance between them. This predetermined distance is the distance between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 in the circuit protection component 30 (in other words, the electrode pitch). Therefore, the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are positioned so that the distance between the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 matches the electrode pitch between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32. The circuit protection component 30 is installed straddling the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51. Here, the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are positioned so that the distance between the contact portion 41a of the first electrical connection portion 41 and the contact portion 51a of the second electrical connection portion 51 matches the electrode pitch between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32. Therefore, the circuit protection component 30 is installed spanning the contact portion 41a of the first electrical connection portion 41 and the contact portion 51a of the second electrical connection portion 51.
[0033] Furthermore, the first terminal fitting 40 shown here is arranged so that the adjacent directions of the first electrical connection part 41 and the conductor connection part 42 are aligned in the opposing arrangement direction of the respective contact parts 41a and 51a. The second terminal fitting 50 shown here is arranged so that the adjacent directions of the second electrical connection part 51 and the wiring connection part 52 are aligned in the opposing arrangement direction of the respective contact parts 41a and 51a.
[0034] The fuse unit 20 includes an electrically insulating housing component 70 that houses a first electrical connection part 41, a second electrical connection part 51, a circuit protection component 30, a wiring connection part 52, and one end of the conductor part 61 (Figures 3 to 7). The housing component 70 is provided with a housing chamber 70a that houses the first electrical connection part 41, the second electrical connection part 51, the circuit protection component 30, the wiring connection part 52, and one end of the conductor part 61 (Figures 3 to 7).
[0035] The housing component 70 includes a housing member 70A which has a bottom portion 71 on which the ends of the first electrical connection portion 41, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the wiring component 60 are installed, and a pair of side wall portions 72 which are suspended from the bottom portion 71 and are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them, with the ends of the first electrical connection portion 41, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the wiring component 60 in between (Figures 3 to 7).
[0036] The housing member 70A has a housing chamber 70a in the space enclosed by its bottom 71 and a pair of side wall portions 72. The housing member 70A has openings between the respective ends of the pair of side wall portions 72 that are located in the direction perpendicular to the bottom 71, which serve as insertion points 70b for the first electrical connection portion 41, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the wiring component 60 (Figures 3 and 5).
[0037] Furthermore, the housing member 70A has one opening surrounded by the bottom portion 71 and a pair of side wall portions 72 as the first outlet 70c, and the other opening surrounded by the bottom portion 71 and the pair of side wall portions 72 as the second outlet 70d (Figures 3 to 7). The first electrical connection portion 41 is routed out of the housing chamber 70a through the first outlet 70c with its conductor connection portion 42 side facing out. The wiring component 60 is routed out of the housing chamber 70a through the second outlet 70d with its terminal side facing the battery monitoring unit facing out.
[0038] The bottom portion 71 is provided with a mounting surface 71a on which the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are placed (Figures 3 and 5). The circuit protection component 30 is placed on this mounting surface 71a, on the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second electrical connection portion 51 of the second terminal fitting 50. The bottom portion 71 shown here is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate.
[0039] The pair of side wall portions 72 are walls aligned along the opposing arrangement direction of the contact portion 41a of the first electrical connection portion 41 and the contact portion 51a of the second electrical connection portion 51, and are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them in a direction perpendicular to the opposing arrangement direction of the bottom portion 71 and the opposing arrangement direction of the insertion opening 70b. These side wall portions 72 are suspended from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion 71. The side wall portions 72 shown here are suspended from the edges of the bottom portion 71 aligned along the opposing arrangement direction of the respective contact portions 41a and 51a, and are formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. Therefore, in the housing member 70A shown here, the insertion opening 70b, the first outlet 70c, and the second outlet 70d are each rectangular openings.
[0040] Here, a first positioning structure 73A is provided between the mounting surface 71a of the bottom portion 71 and the first electrical connection portion 41, which is responsible for positioning the first electrical connection portion 41 relative to the mounting surface 71a (Figures 3 to 7). A second positioning structure 73B is provided between the mounting surface 71a of the bottom portion 71 and the second electrical connection portion 51, which is responsible for positioning the second electrical connection portion 51 relative to the mounting surface 71a (Figures 3 to 7). The first positioning structure 73A and the second positioning structure 73B position the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 by matching the distance between the contact portion 41a of the first electrical connection portion 41 and the contact portion 51a of the second electrical connection portion 51 to the electrode pitch between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32.
[0041] For example, the first positioning structure 73A is composed of a first positioning pin 71b that is vertically extended from the installation surface 71a of the bottom portion 71, and a first positioning hole 41b provided in the first electrical connection portion 41 into which the first positioning pin 71b is fitted (Figures 3 to 7). In the first positioning structure 73A shown here, the first positioning pin 71b is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the first positioning hole 41b is formed as a circular through hole. However, in the first positioning structure 73A, in order to suppress rotation of the first positioning pin 71b around its axis in the first terminal fitting 40, it is desirable, for example, to form the first positioning pin 71b in a rectangular prism shape and the first positioning hole 41b as a rectangular through hole.
[0042] Further, the second positioning structure 73B is composed of a second positioning pin 71c vertically provided from the installation surface 71a of the bottom portion 71, and a second positioning hole 51b provided in the second electrical connection portion 51 into which the second positioning pin 71c is inserted (FIGS. 3 to 7). In the second positioning structure 73B shown here, the second positioning pin 71c is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the second positioning hole 51b is formed as a circular through-hole. However, in the second positioning structure 73B, in order to suppress the rotation of the second positioning pin 71c around the axis in the second terminal fitting 50, for example, it is desirable to form the second positioning pin 71c in a prismatic shape and form the second positioning hole 51b as a rectangular through-hole.
[0043] For example, in this fuse unit 20, the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are installed on the installation surface 71a of the bottom portion 71 of the housing member 70A. The first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second electrical connection portion 51 of the second terminal fitting 50 are adjusted so that the intervals between the respective contact portions 41a and 51a are matched with the electrode pitch between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 by the first positioning structure 73A and the second positioning structure 73B. Therefore, in the fuse unit 20, by installing the circuit protection component 30 on the respective contact portions 41a and 51a of the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51, the first electrode 31 of the circuit protection component 30 can be placed on the contact portion 41a of the first electrical connection portion 41, and the second electrode 32 of the circuit protection component 30 can be placed on the contact portion 51a of the second electrical connection portion 51. In this fuse unit 20, the contact portion 41a between the first electrode 31 and the first electrical connection portion 41 is directly electrically connected by laser welding, soldering, or the like, and the contact portion 51a between the second electrode 32 and the second electrical connection portion 51 is directly electrically connected by laser welding, soldering, or the like.
[0044] On the other hand, this fuse unit 20 can also be formed through the following manufacturing process.
[0045] For example, in this manufacturing process, a jig is used that has two pins positioned at a distance between a first positioning pin 71b and a second positioning pin 71c (not shown). In the fuse unit 20, the first electrical connection part 41 and the second electrical connection part 51 are aligned and installed in the jig by inserting each of the pins into the first positioning hole 41b and the second positioning hole 51b, respectively. Then, in the fuse unit 20, the circuit protection component 30 is installed on the contact parts 41a, 51a of the first electrical connection part 41 and the second electrical connection part 51, respectively, with the first electrode 31 of the circuit protection component 30 resting on the contact part 41a of the first electrical connection part 41, and the second electrode 32 of the circuit protection component 30 resting on the contact part 51a of the second electrical connection part 51. Subsequently, in this fuse unit 20, the contact portion 41a of the first electrode 31 and the first electrical connection portion 41 are directly electrically connected by laser welding, soldering, or the like, and the contact portion 51a of the second electrode 32 and the second electrical connection portion 51 are directly electrically connected by laser welding, soldering, or the like.
[0046] In the fuse unit 20, the first electrical connection part 41 and the second electrical connection part 51, to which the circuit protection component 30 is connected, are installed on the mounting surface 71a of the bottom 71 of the housing member 70A. The first electrical connection part 41 and the second electrical connection part 51 are positioned using the first positioning structure 73A and the second positioning structure 73B, respectively, so that the spacing between their respective contact parts 41a and 51a matches the electrode pitch of the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32. Here, it is assumed that the wiring component 60 is pre-connected to the wiring connection part 52 of the second terminal fitting 50.
[0047] Here, the housing member 70A is shown as being molded as a single component separate from the circuit protection component 30, the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, and the wiring component 60. However, for example, the housing member 70A may be one that is insert-molded with respect to at least the first terminal fitting 40. In this case, the housing member 70A is insert-molded with the contact portion 41a of the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 exposed from the installation surface 71a.
[0048] In this fuse unit 20, in the accommodation chamber 70a, one end of the conductor portion 61 at the terminal of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the wiring component 60 is exposed. Therefore, this fuse unit 20 includes an electrically insulating coating resin portion 74 that wraps the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminal of the wiring component 60 in the accommodation chamber 70a (FIG. 8). By wrapping the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminal of the wiring component 60, this coating resin portion 74 suppresses energization between the first electrical connection portion 41 side and the second electrical connection portion 51 side. For example, even if condensation occurs in the accommodation chamber 70a, this coating resin portion 74 can suppress a short circuit in the accommodation chamber 70a due to the condensed water. Further, by fixing the coating resin portion 74 to the installation surface 71a of the bottom portion 71 of the accommodation member 70A, it can also function as a fixing member that fixes the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminal of the wiring component 60 to the accommodation member 70A in the accommodation chamber 70a.
[0049] For example, the coating resin portion 74 is a solidified product of a liquid resin material (so-called potting material) supplied by dripping or the like so as to wrap the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminal of the wiring component 60. In this case, first, a liquid potting material is supplied to the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminal of the wiring component 60 installed on the installation surface 71a of the bottom portion 71 of the accommodation member 70A. Thereafter, depending on the properties of the potting material, the potting material is irradiated with ultraviolet rays or heated to form the coating resin portion 74 in which the potting material is cured. Since the coating resin portion 74 undergoes such a manufacturing process, it is desirable to form it using a liquid potting material having a viscosity that can be held on the installation surface 71a of the bottom portion 71 until it cures so that the liquid potting material does not flow out from the first lead-out port 70c or the second lead-out port 70d of the accommodation member 70A before curing.
[0050] The conductive module 1 includes an electrically insulating housing component (hereinafter referred to as the "module housing component") 80 that houses the fuse unit 20, along with the connecting conductor 10 (Figure 1). The module housing component 80 is provided with a housing chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "conductor housing chamber") 80a for housing the connecting conductor 10 and a housing chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "unit housing chamber") 80b for housing the fuse unit 20 (Figure 1).
[0051] For example, this module housing component 80 has a conductor housing chamber 80a for each connecting conductor 10 connected to each electrode terminal BCb of the electrode terminal group BCc. On the other hand, this module housing component 80 has a unit housing chamber 80b in which the fuse units 20 for each connecting conductor 10 are housed together.
[0052] In the unit housing chamber 80b, the wiring components 60 (wires) of each fuse unit 20 are routed to the battery monitoring unit. The other end of each wiring component 60 (wire) that is routed to the battery monitoring unit is connected to a connector 65 (Figure 1). Each wiring component 60 (wire) is indirectly electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit via this connector 65.
[0053] Furthermore, if the wiring component 60 is a flat wiring material, the unit housing chamber 80b houses the wiring component 60 (flat wiring material) having a conductor portion 61 connected to the second terminal fitting 50 of each fuse unit 20 (not shown).
[0054] This module housing component 80 comprises a housing member (hereinafter referred to as "module housing member") 80A (Figure 1) which is assembled and fixed to each other to form a plurality of conductor housing chambers 80a and unit housing chambers 80b internally, and a cover member (hereinafter referred to as "module cover member"; not shown). The module housing member 80A and the module cover member are molded from an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin.
[0055] The module housing member 80A is provided with spaces for forming multiple conductor housing chambers 80a and unit housing chambers 80b at the assembly completion position with the module cover member.
[0056] In the fuse unit 20 of this embodiment described above, the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second electrical connection portion 51 of the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, the wiring connection portion 52 of the second terminal fitting 50, and one end of the conductor portion 61 of the wiring component 60 are housed in the housing chamber 70a of the housing component 70. In other words, in this fuse unit 20, the terminals of the first electrical connection portion 41, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the wiring component 60 are surrounded by the housing component 70 within the housing chamber 70a. Therefore, the fuse unit 20 of this embodiment can protect these from external factors such as other surrounding components. For example, in the fuse unit 20 shown here, the terminals of the first electrical connection portion 41, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the wiring component 60, which are installed on the bottom 71 of the housing member 70A, are housed in the housing chamber 70a, which is surrounded by the bottom 71 and a pair of side walls 72. Therefore, in this fuse unit 20, the first electrical connection part 41, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminals of the wiring component 60 can be protected from external factors such as other surrounding components. The conductive module 1 of this embodiment is equipped with this fuse unit 20 and can achieve the same effects as those obtained with this fuse unit 20.
[0057] Incidentally, in this fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1, the function of the housing member 70A may be shared with the module housing member 80A. In this case, the module housing member 80A is provided with an installation surface 71a, a pair of side walls 72, a first positioning pin 71b of the first positioning structure 73A, and a second positioning pin 71c of the second positioning structure 73B. As a result, the housing member 70A is not required for this fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1, reducing the number of parts and manufacturing processes, and thus contributing to cost reduction.
[0058] In the previously described housing component 70, the insertion opening 70b of the housing member 70A remains open. Therefore, it is desirable that the housing component 70 be equipped with a cover member 70B that covers the insertion opening 70b when assembled and fixed to the housing member 70A (Figures 9 and 10). The cover member 70B shown here is molded into a rectangular flat plate shape from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. For example, in this housing component 70, the edges of the leading edges of the pair of side wall portions 72 are fixed to the cover member 70B by heat welding or the like when assembled.
[0059] In this housing component 70, the largest opening, insertion opening 70b, in the housing member 70A is covered by the cover member 70B. Therefore, the fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1 to which this cover member 70B is applied can more effectively protect the terminals of the first electrical connection part 41, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the wiring component 60 within the housing chamber 70a from external factors such as other surrounding components.
[0060] Furthermore, in this housing component 70, the aforementioned covering resin portion 74 may be provided inside the housing chamber 70a. As in the previous example, this covering resin portion 74 is a solidified product obtained by curing a liquid resin material (so-called potting material) by irradiating it with ultraviolet light or by heating the potting material. This covering resin portion 74 encloses the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminals of the wiring component 60 inside the housing chamber 70a, thereby suppressing current flow between the first electrical connection portion 41 side and the second electrical connection portion 51 side. Also, as in the previous example, this covering resin portion 74 can be fixed to the installation surface 71a of the bottom portion 71 of the housing member 70A, thereby functioning as a fixing member that fixes the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminals of the wiring component 60 to the housing member 70A inside the housing chamber 70a.
[0061] The housing component 70 may be provided with connecting portions 70C connected to the housing member 70A and the cover member 70B, respectively (Figure 11). The housing component 70 is molded as a single part in which the housing member 70A, the cover member 70B, and the connecting portion 70C are integrated.
[0062] The connecting portion 70C displaces the relative positions of the housing member 70A and the cover member 70B between a first state in which the insertion opening 70b is exposed and a second state in which the insertion opening 70b is covered by the cover member 70B. The first state is the state in which the installation surface 71a of the bottom portion 71 of the housing member 70A and the insertion opening 70b are exposed, in other words, it refers to the open state of the housing member 70A and the cover member 70B. The second state is the closed state of the housing member 70A and the cover member 70B. For example, the connecting portion 70C shown here is formed as a so-called living hinge.
[0063] When the housing member 70A and the cover member 70B are assembled in the second state (closed state), the housing component 70 is fixed to the cover member 70B by, for example, heat welding or the like at the edges of the pair of side wall portions 72.
[0064] By using the housing component 70 with the connecting portion 70C, the fuse unit 20 and the conductive module 1 can reduce the number of parts compared to using the housing component 70 without the connecting portion 70C, thus contributing to cost reduction.
[0065] Furthermore, in this housing component 70, the insertion opening 70b of the housing member 70A is closed by the cover member 70B, but the first outlet 70c and the second outlet 70d of the housing member 70A remain open. Therefore, in the fuse unit 20, it is desirable to replace the cover member 70B with the next cover member 170B and use a housing component 170 in which this cover member 170B is assembled to the housing member 70A (Figures 12 and 13).
[0066] The cover member 170B is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. This cover member 170B has a lid portion 175 that covers the insertion opening 70b of the housing member 70A when assembled (Figures 12 and 13). This lid portion 175 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape and is positioned parallel to the installation surface 71a of the bottom portion 71 of the housing member 70A when assembled.
[0067] Furthermore, the cover member 170B is suspended from the lid portion 175 and has a first side cover portion 176 that covers the first outlet 70c when assembled and allows the conductor connection portion 42 of the first electrical connection portion 41 to be pulled out of the housing chamber 70a through a gap with the bottom portion 71 when assembled (Figure 13). This first side cover portion 176 is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. When assembled, this first side cover portion 176 has a gap between the edge of the leading edge in the vertical direction and the bottom portion 71, and this gap is made into an insertion opening 176a, through which the conductor connection portion 42 of the first electrical connection portion 41 is inserted (Figure 13).
[0068] Furthermore, the cover member 170B has a second side cover portion 177 that extends vertically from the lid portion 175, covers the second outlet 70d when assembled, and allows the battery monitoring unit side of the wiring component 60 to be pulled out of the housing chamber 70a from the gap with the bottom portion 71 when assembled (Figure 12). This second side cover portion 177 is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. The second side cover portion 177 has a second notch 177a formed from the edge of its leading edge in the vertical direction toward the lid portion 175, allowing the battery monitoring unit side of the wiring component 60 to be inserted beyond the terminal (Figure 12).
[0069] For example, in this housing component 170, at the completed assembly position, the leading edges of the pair of side wall portions 72 are fixed to the lid portion 175 of the cover member 170B by heat welding or the like, the outer peripheral edge of the first side lid portion 176 of the cover member 170B is fixed to the peripheral edge of the first outlet 70c of the housing member 70A by heat welding or the like, and the outer peripheral edge of the second side lid portion 177 of the cover member 170B is fixed to the peripheral edge of the second outlet 70d of the housing member 70A by heat welding or the like.
[0070] In this housing component 170, the insertion opening 70b, the first outlet 70c, and the second outlet 70d, which are open in the housing member 70A, are covered by the cover member 170B. Therefore, the fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1 to which this cover member 170B is applied can more effectively protect the terminals of the first electrical connection part 41, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the wiring component 60 in the housing chamber 70a from external factors such as other surrounding components.
[0071] Furthermore, in this housing component 170, the aforementioned covering resin portion 74 may be provided inside the housing chamber 70a. This covering resin portion 74 may be a solidified liquid resin material (so-called potting material) that covers only the object to be covered, as in the example above, or it may be a solidified material that fills the housing chamber 70a and encloses the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminals of the wiring component 60. In the latter case, for example, a supply hole (not shown) for supplying liquid resin material to the inside (housing chamber 70a) of the housing member 70A and cover member 170B at the completed assembly position is provided in either the housing member 70A or the cover member 170B. Here, if there is no gap between the housing member 70A and the cover member 170B at the completed assembly position (in other words, if the housing chamber 70a is airtight), then an air vent hole (not shown) is provided in either the housing member 70A or the cover member 170B to release the gas inside the housing chamber 70a to the outside while the liquid resin material is being supplied. In this case, the liquid resin material is supplied from the supply hole to fill the inside of the housing member 70A and the cover member 170B (housing chamber 70a) at the completed assembly position, and this resin material is hardened to form the covering resin part 74. If there is a gap between the housing member 70A and the cover member 170B at the completed assembly position (in other words, if the airtightness of the housing chamber 70a is low), or if the supply hole or air vent hole has to be provided, for example, vertically downward, and there is concern about the liquid resin material leaking out of the housing chamber 70a, it is desirable to form the covering resin part 74 using a liquid resin material with a viscosity that can be retained in the housing chamber 70a until it hardens.
[0072] Furthermore, in the fuse unit 20, the housing component 170 may be replaced with the following housing component 270. This housing component 270 comprises a housing member 270A and a cover member 270B molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin (Figures 14 to 16).
[0073] The storage member 270A has a bottom 271 and a pair of side walls (hereinafter referred to as "first side walls") 272, similar to the bottom 71 and pair of side walls 72 of the storage member 70A (Figures 14 to 16). The storage member 270A has a pair of second side walls 273 that are suspended from the bottom 271 at one opening and the other opening, which are surrounded by the bottom 271 and the pair of first side walls 272 (Figures 14 to 16). In this storage member 270A, the space surrounded by the bottom 271, the pair of first side walls 272 and the pair of second side walls 273 is called the storage chamber 270a (Figure 16). In this storage member 270A, the opening between the respective ends of the pair of first side walls 272 and the pair of second side walls 273, which are located in the direction of vertical extension from the bottom 271, is called the insertion opening 270b (Figure 16).
[0074] The bottom portion 271 and the pair of first side wall portions 272 are formed in the same rectangular flat plate shape as in the previous example. The bottom portion 271 is provided with a first positioning pin 71b and a second positioning pin 71c on its mounting surface 271a (Figure 16) (not shown).
[0075] The second side wall portion 273 has a notch cut out from the tip located in the vertical direction from the bottom portion 271 toward the bottom portion 271, and this notch is designated as the first outlet 270c (Figures 14 and 16). This first outlet 270c is the same as the first outlet 70c of the aforementioned housing member 70A, and allows the conductor connection portion 42 side of the first electrical connection portion 41 to be pulled out of the housing chamber 270a.
[0076] The other second side wall portion 273 has a notch cut out from the tip located in the vertical direction from the bottom portion 271 toward the bottom portion 271, and this notch is designated as the second outlet 270d (Figures 15 and 16). This second outlet 270d is the same as the second outlet 70d of the aforementioned housing member 70A, and allows the battery monitoring unit side of the wiring component 60 to be pulled out of the housing chamber 270a from the terminal side.
[0077] The second side wall portion 273 shown here is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. In this second side wall portion 273, the first outlet 270c and the second outlet 270d are formed from the central part of the edge of the tip located in the direction perpendicular to the bottom portion 271 toward the bottom portion 271.
[0078] The cover member 270B has a lid portion 275, a first side lid portion 276, and a second side lid portion 277, similar to the lid portion 175, first side lid portion 176, and second side lid portion 177 of the aforementioned cover member 170B (Figures 14 to 16).
[0079] However, the first outlet 270c and second outlet 270d of the housing member 270A have different opening shapes from the first outlet 70c and second outlet 70d of the aforementioned housing member 70A. Therefore, the cover member 270B is equivalent to the cover member 170B in which the first side cover portion 276 and the second side cover portion 277 have been modified to match the opening shapes of the first outlet 270c and the second outlet 270d. The first side cover portion 276 has a gap between the edge portion at the tip in the vertical direction and the bottom portion 271 when assembled, and this gap is made into an insertion opening 276a, through which the conductor connection portion 42 of the first electrical connection portion 41 is inserted (Figure 15). Furthermore, the second side cover portion 277 has a second notch 277a formed therein, extending from the edge of its leading edge in the vertical direction toward the cover portion 275, which allows the battery monitoring unit side of the wiring component 60 to be inserted beyond the terminal side (Figures 14 and 16).
[0080] The fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1 to which this cover member 270B is applied can more effectively protect the terminals of the first electrical connection part 41, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the wiring component 60 within the housing chamber 270a from external factors such as other surrounding components, similar to the case to which the cover member 170B is applied.
[0081] In this housing component 270, the aforementioned covering resin portion 74 may be provided inside the housing chamber 270a. This covering resin portion 74 may be a solidified liquid resin material (so-called potting material) that covers only the object to be covered, as in the example above, or it may be a solidified material that fills the housing chamber 270a and encloses the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, the circuit protection component 30, and the terminals of the wiring component 60.
[0082] In the fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1, even when using any of the cover members 70B, 170B, or 270B described above, the function of the housing member 70A (270A) may be shared with the module housing member 80A. In this case, the module housing member 80A, which serves as a substitute for the housing member 70A, is provided with an installation surface 71a, a pair of side wall portions 72, a first positioning pin 71b of the first positioning structure 73A, and a second positioning pin 71c of the second positioning structure 73B. Furthermore, the module housing member 80A, which serves as a substitute for the housing member 270A, is provided with an installation surface 271a, a pair of first side wall portions 272, a pair of second side wall portions 273, a first positioning pin 71b of the first positioning structure 73A, and a second positioning pin 71c of the second positioning structure 73B. As a result, the fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1 do not require the housing member 70A (270A), reducing the number of parts and manufacturing steps, thus contributing to cost reduction.
[0083] Furthermore, in this fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1, the function of the cover member 70B (170B, 270B) may be shared with the module cover member. As a result, the cover member 70B (170B, 270B) is not required for this fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1, reducing the number of parts and manufacturing steps, and thus contributing to cost reduction.
[0084] Furthermore, in this fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1, the function of the housing member 70A (270A) may be shared with the module housing member 80A as described above, and the function of the cover member 70B (170B, 270B) may be shared with the module cover member. As a result, the housing member 70A (270A) and the cover member 70B (170B, 270B) become unnecessary in this fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1, reducing the number of parts and manufacturing processes, and thus contributing to cost reduction.
[0085] 1 Conductive module 10 Connecting conductor 20 Fuse unit 30 Circuit protection component 31 First electrode 32 Second electrode 40 First terminal fitting 41 First electrical connection part 42 Conductor connection part 50 Second terminal fitting 51 Second electrical connection part 52 Wiring connection part 60 Wiring component 61 Conductor part 62 Insulating coating 70, 170, 270 Housing component 70A, 270A Housing member 70B, 170B, 270B Cover member 70C Connecting part 70a, 270a Housing chamber 70b, 270b Insertion opening 70c, 270c First outlet 70d, 270d Second outlet 71, 271 Bottom part 72 Side wall part (first side wall part) 74 Covering resin part 175, 275 Lid part 176, 276 First side cover section 177, 277 Second side cover section 272 First side wall section 273 Second side wall section BC Battery cell BCb Electrode terminal BM Battery module
Claims
1. A circuit protection component that melts a fusible portion when an overcurrent flows between a first electrical connection target and a second electrical connection target; a first terminal fitting that directly electrically connects a first electrical connection portion to a first electrode of the circuit protection component and directly or indirectly electrically connects a conductor connection portion to the first electrical connection target; a second terminal fitting that directly electrically connects a second electrical connection portion to a second electrode of the circuit protection component and directly or indirectly electrically connects to the second electrical connection target; a wiring component interposed between the second terminal fitting and the second electrical connection target, with one end of the conductor portion directly electrically connected to the wiring connection portion of the second terminal fitting and the other end of the conductor portion directly or indirectly electrically connected to the second electrical connection target; an electrically insulating housing component in which the first electrical connection portion, the second electrical connection portion, the circuit protection component installed spanning the first and second electrical connection portions, the wiring connection portion, and one end of the conductor portion are housed in a housing chamber; A fuse unit characterized by having the following features.
2. The wiring component is provided with an electrically insulating covering at its terminal that covers at least one end of the conductor portion on the side of the second electrical connection target; the housing component is provided with a housing member having a bottom portion on which the first electrical connection portion, the second terminal fitting, the circuit protection component, and the terminal portion of the wiring component are installed; and a pair of side wall portions extending downward from the bottom portion and positioned opposite each other with a gap between them, with the first electrical connection portion, the second terminal fitting, the circuit protection component, and the terminal portion of the wiring component in between; the housing member has a housing chamber in the space enclosed by the bottom portion and the pair of side wall portions, and one opening enclosed by the bottom portion and the pair of side wall portions is a first outlet, and the other opening enclosed by the bottom portion and the pair of side wall portions is a second outlet; the first electrical connection portion has its conductor connection portion side pulled out of the housing chamber from the first outlet. The fuse unit according to claim 1, wherein the wiring component is extended from the second outlet to the housing chamber beyond its terminal, on the side of the second electrical connection target.
3. The fuse unit according to claim 2, wherein the housing member has an opening between the respective ends of a pair of side wall portions located in the vertical direction from the bottom, which serves as an insertion opening for the first electrical connection portion, the second terminal fitting, the circuit protection component, and the terminals of the wiring component, and the housing member comprises a cover member that covers the insertion opening in the assembled and fixed position.
4. The fuse unit according to claim 3, wherein the cover member comprises: a lid portion that covers the insertion opening at the completed assembly position; a first side lid portion that extends vertically from the lid portion and covers the first outlet at the completed assembly position, and allows the conductor connection portion side of the first electrical connection portion to be pulled out of the housing chamber through a gap with the bottom at the completed assembly position; and a second side lid portion that extends vertically from the lid portion and covers the second outlet at the completed assembly position, and allows the second electrical connection target side of the wiring component to be pulled out of the housing chamber from a gap with the bottom at the completed assembly position.
5. The housing member has a pair of second side wall portions that are suspended from the bottom at one opening and the other opening, respectively, surrounded by the bottom and a pair of side wall portions that serve as a pair of first side wall portions, and one of the second side wall portions has a notch cut out toward the bottom from the tip located in the direction of vertical installation from the bottom, which serves as the first outlet, and the other second side wall portion has a notch cut out toward the bottom from the tip located in the direction of vertical installation from the bottom, which serves as the second outlet, The fuse unit according to claim 3, wherein the cover member comprises: a lid portion that covers the insertion opening at the completed assembly position; a first side lid portion that extends vertically from the lid portion and covers the first outlet at the completed assembly position, and allows the conductor connection portion side of the first electrical connection portion to be pulled out of the housing chamber from the gap with the bottom at the completed assembly position; and a second side lid portion that extends vertically from the lid portion and covers the second outlet at the completed assembly position, and allows the electrical connection target side of the wiring component to be pulled out of the housing chamber from the gap with the bottom at the completed assembly position.
6. The fuse unit according to claim 3, wherein the housing component has connecting portions connected to the housing member and the cover member, and the connecting portions displace the relative positions of the housing member and the cover member between a first state in which the insertion opening is exposed and a second state in which the insertion opening is covered by the cover member.
7. A fuse unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6, comprising the first electrical connection part, the second terminal fitting, the circuit protection part, and an electrically insulating covering resin part that encloses the terminals of the wiring part.
8. A battery module comprising: a connecting conductor that is directly electrically connected to the electrode terminals of the battery cells constituting the battery module; and a fuse unit that indirectly electrically connects the connecting conductor to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cells, wherein the fuse unit comprises: a circuit protection component that melts a fusible portion when an overcurrent flows between the connecting conductor and the battery monitoring unit; a first terminal fitting that directly electrically connects a first electrical connection portion to a first electrode of the circuit protection component and directly or indirectly electrically connects a conductor connection portion to the connecting conductor; a second terminal fitting that directly electrically connects a second electrical connection portion to a second electrode of the circuit protection component and directly or indirectly electrically connects to the battery monitoring unit; and a wiring component interposed between the second terminal fitting and the battery monitoring unit, with one end of the conductor portion directly electrically connected to the wiring connection portion of the second terminal fitting and the other end of the conductor portion directly or indirectly electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit. A conductive module characterized by comprising: a first electrical connection portion; a second electrical connection portion; a circuit protection component installed spanning the first and second electrical connection portions; an electrically insulating housing component in which one end of the wiring connection portion and the conductor portion is housed in a housing chamber.